Life's Little Bumps

Chapter Eight

"Well how nice of you to finally show up," my mother said as I walked into the kitchen. She was in her scrubs, looking like she was about to leave for work. I forgot she picked up an extra shift for today, and I was quite relieved. 

"Do you want me to leave again? I surely have no problem with it," I growled back. I gave her a glare that showed I was being serious.

"Why do you have to be so difficult?! Why do you resent your father so much?! Why are you so stubborn?!" my mother screamed at me with tears in her eyes.

"Well I'm sorry that I'm trying to MOVE ON WITH MY LIFE. I'm sorry I don't hold on to the past! I'm sorry I don't love my father! You know why I don't? BECAUSE HE DOESN'T LOVE ME. IF HE LOVED ME, HE WOULD'VE NEVER ABANDONED ME," I yelled back. I was crying and shaking, with anger running through my body.

"HE DOES LOVE YOU. HE JUST HAD A ROUGH TIME AFTER THE DIVORCE," my mom screeched.

"WELL I'VE MOVED ON. HE IS TEN YEARS TOO LATE. JESUS CHRIST MOM, MOVE ON!" I roared. Once again, silence was all I heard. We were both sobbing and just standing there, staring at each other.

"He is coming over for dinner tonight. You will be nice and respectful to your father, to his wife, and to your new sister," she trembled.

"Don't call her my 'sister.' She is not my sister. I will be respectful by not saying a word. I will not make eye contact with him, and will not spend more than 1 hour in his presence," I respond. She nodded her head, knowing she would have to agree to my terms. "Also, I want Gage there. He is my support and I need him here," I demand. It was no question about him being here. I walked up the stairs and turned into my bedroom before closing my door.

I pulled out my phone and found Gage's name.

"Hey beautiful. How were things with your mom?"

"Very loud. Turns out my father is coming over for dinner tonight with his 'new family.' Can you please come over?"

"I'll be there beautiful. What do you mean 'new family?'"

"His wife and step-daughter. It's whatever. Thanks for coming babe, I couldn't sit through it without you."

"I love you."

"I love you too."

"Bye beautiful."

"Bye my little chestnut."

I hadn't called him that in a while and I figure he needed to be reminded of that amazing day. The week after we met, we went on our first proper "date." We went to a farmer's market and had found this amazing chestnut stand. He had eaten at least a pound of them. I told him you are what you eat and that he is now a chestnut. He said that he wasn't a chestnut, he was my chestnut. It was adorable. This thought brightened my mood a little bit.

SIX HOURS LATER

Ding Dong

"Are you ready?" Gage asked.

"Nope. I never will be though," I state. I grasped Gage's hand as we stood on the stairs as my mother approached the door. She looked at me and mouthed I love you before opening the door.

"Hello Josh," my mom said with a smile on her face.

"Hello Mary," the tall, tan man who I assumed was him, said. I closed my eyes, not wanting to look at him. I squeezed Gage's hand even tighter and he kissed my cheek. I took a deep breath in and opened my eyes.

"Hey pumpkin," my father said, so innocently. How dare he call me that? He marches into my life after 10 years and calls me pumpkin? I didn't say anything, and didn't make eye contact.

I just turned around and walked into the kitchen. John followed me and wrapped his arm around my shoulder. I leaned into him, still holding onto Gage's handed. I heard footsteps behind us and I heard... them.... talking.

"I love you beautiful," Gage whispered into my ear. I looked at him and gave a small smile.

"Dinner will be ready in about 10 minutes. Josh, Vanya, Hailey, make yourself at home," my mom said to break the silence. My father sat down across from me with his wife- who I assumed was Vanya- and his step-daughter.

"So, Elle, what's new with you?" he offered, desperately trying to get me to look at him.

"Well a lot can change in ten years, but I won't bore you with the details," I bark, still looking away from him.

"I know, you've gotten so big. I wish I was there to see you grow," he replied, still nicely. I finally made eye contact.

"Oh really? It probably would've helped if you made an effort," I answer with anger in my voice. Once again, the damn silence took over.

After about 2 minutes, my father spoke.

"Look, Elle, I'm sorry. I was in a bad place when your mom and I separated. I needed time to get better. I know I don't deserve you, but please, I'm asking you, give me a chance to be a father," he said, sounding like he was about to cry.

"Don't pull the 'bad place' card on me. I know you've been sober for 8 years now. Not once did you ever try to contact me, not once did you ever try to contact my mother, not once did you ever try. I googled you when I was 9 years old. You know how much it hurt to see that you had a new family? That's when I knew I didn't mean anything to you. Why are you even trying now?" I responded. I was holding back the tears and god damnit, I was not going to let him see me cry. He didn't deserve to know he hurt me. "I can't do this," I say while I get up. Gage gets up with me but I tell him I need some alone time. He nods his head and sits back down. I run up the stairs and slam my bedroom door shut. I start to cry and I lie on my bed.

Knock knock

"Go away mom," I yell. I heard my door open. I turned around to find... Vanya, his new wife. I turn back around and close my eyes, hoping this is all just a nightmare.

"Hey Elle, can we talk?" she asked. I didn't respond. "Look, your dad loves you. He doesn't go a day without thinking of you. Please, give him a shot. You won't regret it," she quietly said. Once again I didn't respond. Seeing that she was getting nowhere with me, she got up and left. I got up and wiped the mascara from under my eyes. I was determined to finish this dinner. No matter what, I would make it through this hour.

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Hey guys! What do you think? Should she give him a chance? Should she kick him to the curb? Let me know in the comments! XoXo -E.R.